How Many College Credits is an AP Class?

A piece of advice that high-achieving students often hear is that they should take AP classes. And that’s completely correct– you should be taking AP classes if your school offers them! AP, short for Advanced Placement, is an international program administered by the College Board, the same organization that administers the SAT. AP classes are more demanding than typical high school courses, but the benefits are immense. 

One of the biggest benefits is that AP classes can count for college credit. A high score on the AP test for your subject can help you graduate faster and may even replace some prerequisite courses, depending on your university’s policies. But how many credits can be replaced by AP classes? The answer is highly variable based on school policy, what AP classes you took, and how you did on the AP exam.

Understanding AP Scoring and Policy

The first thing you need to understand about how AP classes translate into college credit is how the AP tests are scored. When you finish an AP class, you’ll then take an exam that tests how well you mastered the course material. Unlike a standardized test like the SAT or ACT, the AP exams are highly subject-specific and rely on knowledge of the course materials rather than expected general academic knowledge. 

AP exams are graded on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. A score of 3 is considered passing, while 4 and 5 represent strong or exceptional performances. Even though a score of 3 is technically passing, many universities have stricter requirements for awarding credit. Highly selective institutions may only grant credit for scores of 4 or 5, while larger, less selective schools may accept a 3 for certain subjects. Knowing the specific policies of your chosen colleges can guide your preparation and help set realistic goals for AP testing.

State schools and private schools also often have different policies about what AP scores they will accept. State universities frequently have clear, standardized guidelines, often due to agreements with state education boards. These policies can make it easier to predict the credit value of your AP exams; you’ll be able to know going into the exams what score you need, and if you start planning early enough, you can even create a course schedule that maximizes the amount of introductory courses you’ll be able to skip once you get to university. 

Private colleges can be less predictable– there’s more variation between schools in the same state and nationally. Some of these schools offer generous AP credit policies, while others are more restrictive. A few highly selective institutions like the Ivy League schools may even limit the role of AP credits altogether, emphasizing a traditional four-year curriculum instead; for example, Brown and Caltech don’t give any credit for AP courses. But both of these schools will allow high AP exam scores as prerequisites to get into higher level courses, so the AP courses are still worth taking.

If you’re applying to several different schools, these differences are worth considering when weighing school options and planning your high school course selections. The College Board offers a tool for looking at AP requirements by school, which can be very helpful when figuring out what scores you need to get the course credit.  

Maximizing Your AP Credits

To make the most of AP opportunities, you need to strategize! Reviewing the AP credit policies for colleges you’re interested in is the first step. Most schools provide detailed information on how AP scores are applied, usually in the admissions or registrar sections of their websites. Pay attention to required scores for each AP exam and how many credits are awarded for different scores.

If your high school offers a variety of AP courses, it’s helpful to choose classes that align with your intended college major. For instance, students planning to pursue engineering might prioritize AP Physics, AP Calculus, or AP Computer Science. Future medical professionals may benefit from taking AP Biology and AP Chemistry. Humanities majors could find AP English Literature or AP History courses particularly relevant to their academic goals.

Another important consideration is how these AP courses are weighted by the schools you’re applying to. Subjects like math, science, and foreign languages often carry more weight due to their alignment with required core courses. AP Biology or AP Chemistry, for example, might fulfill introductory lab science requirements, which can range from 4 to 8 credits depending on the school. AP Physics C could satisfy requirements for calculus-based physics courses, and language courses like AP Spanish Language and Culture or AP French Language and Culture often fulfill foreign language requirements, potentially saving multiple semesters’ worth of coursework.

However, more specialized classes– courses like AP Art History or AP Psychology– usually earn fewer credits because they fulfill elective or major/minor requirements rather than core courses. While still valuable, these subjects might not shorten your time to graduation as significantly.

Balancing the rigor of AP courses with other responsibilities is just as important. While AP classes offer substantial rewards, taking on too many at once can lead to burnout. Focusing on a manageable number of courses that play to your strengths can help you achieve strong results and help you maintain a high GPA. 

Placement vs. Credit

You should also knowthe distinction between placement and credit when figuring out what AP classes to take. Some colleges may allow a high AP score to waive an introductory course requirement, but not provide actual credit hours toward graduation– like the examples of Brown and Caltech from earlier. For example, earning a 5 on AP Chemistry might let a student skip lower-level chemistry classes, but they may not receive formal credits for those skipped courses. 

Even though AP scores used for placement doesn’t reduce the number of credits you need to graduate, it is still a good idea to take the AP courses and prepare well for the exams. Skipping introductory courses can help you advance more quickly in your major and give you room to take more interesting electives.

Succeeding with AP Classes

It’s also very important to remember that AP classes are college-level work. They are intentionally more challenging than the typical high school curriculum, and will prepare you for the demands of college classes. That also means they’re an opportunity to strengthen your study habits and time management skills now, so that you’re prepared for the demands of your university classes. 

There are lots of great resources out there that can help you prepare for your AP exams. Practice tests, study guides, and academic subject tutoring can improve your understanding of complex topics and boost your exam performance. If you find yourself struggling, don’t hesitate to seek extra help. Many students find that working with a tutor can make all the difference.

A strong selection of AP classes doesn’t just give you the potential to skip some courses or place in more advanced classes; it’s a major boost to your college application. It’s a way to show the schools you’re interested in that you’re a serious academic prospect, and that you are ready to take on college-level work. Like high standardized test scores, AP courses are an important part of showing the admissions department your best self. Preparation is an important part of that. Here at Prep Expert, we offer top of the line SAT and ACT tutoring, as well as academic tutoring with subject experts. Explore our tutoring classes for the SAT and ACT and private tutoring options today and see how